Day 23: Backbone Trail: Kanan to Zuma Ridge

Day# 23: Backbone Trail: Kanan to Zuma Ridge
Backbone Trail
Malibu, CA
Saturday, July 18th 2015
Time:  1 hour, 57 minutes
Pace: 24:06/mile
Distance: 4.89 miles
Elevation Gain: 609 feet
Dogs allowed?: Yes

Directions:
From the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills:
Exit Kanan Rd and head south for 7.7 miles 
The trailhead is on the right just before going into the tunnel
There is a large parking area with a vault toilet at the trailhead.

I had some time before working in Malibu today so I headed down the road to the Backbone Trail and took a very pleasant hike through this canyon. The backbone trail is a great trail that runs the entire length of the Santa Monica Mountains. I have plans to hike all of it eventually.

After parking in the lot you head downhill on some switchbacks and head into the canyon. At the bottom you will come to the bridge in the title picture. From here you are basically traveling in the canyon bottom and the terrain is easy. 

Watch for Poison Oak

Toward the end of the trail I had a pleasant surprise, a little baby Horned Lizard. These guys are awesome. Took a few pictures, then head back up the trail to my car and off to work I went.